By Andrew Knittle
The Mike Simmons saga continues, with a new chapter set to unfold in a courtroom near you.
Simmons, who claims he was targeted for eviction following his complaints about treatment at the Norman Veterans Center more than a year ago, is now in Dallas where he has received care for severe wounds to his buttocks. The Vietnam veteran, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and is almost completely disabled, also received a psychiatric evaluation, which was requested by state officials.
Billy Coyle, an attorney representing Simmons, says his client has fulfilled all the obligations listed in a short, "vague" contract drafted by Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. But according to Coyle, the ODVA isn't letting Simmons return from Texas, where he has been for the past three months.
Calls to the ODVA and its executive director, Martha Spear, were directed to the Oklahoma Attorney General's office. Lisa Endres, a lawyer with the attorney general's office, said she couldn't comment on the case other than to say she is "expecting something but (hasn't) seen anything yet."
Coyle said the ODVA's actions have left him little recourse.
"He was treated for his wounds, he's doing better medically and he's had at least one psychiatric evaluation," Coyle said. "The people down in Dallas find him fit and ready to come home."
And yet Simmons remains in Dallas.
Lana McKenzie, director of medical services for PVA, says she's never seen a veteran, disabled or able-bodied, treated in this manner.
"I've been doing this for the past 20 years," McKenzie said. "This is by far the worst I've ever seen a veteran treated."
When reached by phone, Simmons, who has family in the Norman area, had no comment except to say that he misses his home and wants to return.
"I've been here three months," he said. "I just want to come home."
The OVDA has claimed in the past that Simmons demanded too much attention and was abusive toward staff, a claim McKenzie disputes.
"I went to the center in Norman in July and talked to other patients, staff and others and I found nothing like that," said McKenzie, who claims Oklahoma's veterans centers are declining because they're no longer monitored by the state health department.
The OVDA also has tried -- unsuccessfully -- to evict Simmons on three separate occasions. The latest notice came in July just before he agreed to seek treatment in Dallas.
Andrew Knittle 366-3540 aknittle@normantranscript.com
